Our time in the United States (US) commenced with a comprehensive briefing by ICMA staff on the history and complexities of local government in America along with evolution of environmental issues, processes and some relevant legislation in US. This gave us an excellent baseline for a subsequent “deeper dive” in subsequent days travelling to cities of Annapolis and Baltimore accompanied by ICMA staff (Lauren and Tad) along with our ex-City Manager and incredibly knowledgeable tour guide Mr. Robert (Bob) Agee. All to become a perfect fit and preamble to our subsequent two weeks in our host community, in my case along with Ian Fitzgibbon from Warrnanbool, the incredible Smart Sustainable city of Dubuque, on the upper and mighty Mississipi.
The general sense I obtained over these first three days was of the strengths and weaknesses of the American system of local government and of a system based on strong protection of individual rights and control of government to ensure these rights were not lost by design or default at the local level. In contrast to what I expected, a picture emerged of a clear capacity for local Americans to self-organize on a variety of issues and for a variety of purposes. All this led to me to appreciating that within this framework lay an opportunity for local innovation in sustainability and this potential for action permeated the very fabric of American society. It also appeared that this meant a capacity to generate genuine and meaningful community based engagement and outcomes in environmental protection and sustainable living. Hence communities, towns, cities and counties could respond and create their own locally grown approaches to sustainability challenges of climate change and energy transition to low carbon economy. I had developed a clearer understanding of why through all this complexity of local government, organizations, and committees, districts, cities and counties could develop and implement sustainability to an advanced level if they chose to. Giving hope and optimism for the future of environmental action in the US, that was meaningful and appropriate to the people themselves.
We saw that in regards to some environmental issues such as land-based pollution into an internationally significant estuary such as Chesapeake Bay, though clear challenges existed and catchment management across State boundaries was complex and subject to a variety of jurisdictions and responsibilities, that citizen initiated action could and does create a pathway for future healthy waters and even potential for action to mitigate against impacts of climate change (?). This was also evident in urban renewal planning in Baltimore where they moved a freeway, allowing the waterfront to be successfully developed.
Following our three days familiarization in Washington DC and surrounding cities and counties, the two of us (Ian and I) travelled via Chicago to the Smart Sustainable labeled City of Dubuque, in the central mid west. At least here they seemed to have taken this approach and potential for implementing sustainability to new levels and were practiced at the local level at actively breaking down the silos of social, economic and environmental sustainability by working in partnerships and collaborations with a variety of organizations. Since arriving in Dubuque, we have seen so much already, been simply blown away by this tenacious, proud and inventive community. They are clearly a standout example in the world of looking beyond your own boundaries for benefit of whole community, indeed the planet itself (mentioning their role in the world is common around here from the Mayor to the City Manager and staff) and creating new pathways to addressing an energy transition and meeting the challenges of climate change through mitigation and adaptation.
Strikingly they are building not only a national model for sustainability, yet an internationally significant one too. Here in Dubuque there is a genuine sense of collaboration, government striving for accountability and citizen empowerment. The Dubuque model of sustainability is centered on creating and integrating ecological integrity; economic prosperity, and cultural/social vibrancy (viable, livable and equitable). Green building is incorporated into the social dimension for welfare and health of individuals who reside in them. Smart energy use and resource management is included as part of the economic dimension of sustainability and all are integrated with community and people as the priority for inclusion. Sustainability is tangible and integrated around here. Arguably the world-wide norm is to silo these dimensions of sustainability. All round an impressive suite of integrated initiatives prevail here in Dubuque, I am a fan and not just of the Fighting Saints ice hockey team (we saw their debut game last Saturday, courtesy of our generous hosts). Special thanks to Cindy and her city-wide staff and collaborators. Awesome stuff indeed – well done. Thank you for your outstanding accomplishments in sustainability, plus your hospitality and generosity of spirit.